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Former FOX Sports / SPEED Channel television network and digital media executive Kevin Annison will join Motorsport Network to spearhead the group’s planned expansion in traditional and internet television as the President of Motorsport.tv. (Photo: Business Wire)

Former FOX Sports / SPEED Channel television network and digital media executive Kevin Annison will join Motorsport Network to spearhead the group’s planned expansion in traditional and internet television as the President of Motorsport.tv. (Photo: Business Wire)

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Former FOX Sports / SPEED Channel television network and digital media
executive Kevin Annison will join Motorsport
Network to spearhead the group’s planned expansion in traditional
and internet television as the President of Motorsport.tv.

The appointment of Annison comes one week after former NASCAR Digital
Media Vice President, Colin Smith, joined Motorsport Network as CEO.

The key management appointments highlight the massive growth Motorsport
Network has experienced in the past two years. The network has
become the world’s largest independent automotive and motorsport-related
digital platform, connecting hundreds of millions of people that love
motorsport and cars.

Motorsport
Network acquired European cable network Motors TV last year and
Annison will lead the team as the newly renamed Motorsport.tv
expands from its European cable and satellite roots, to a global
internet television network reaching large and small screens of race
fans around the world.

Motorsport.tv
already reaches 31 million homes in 42 different countries throughout
Europe via cable and satellite and showcases more than 125 different
motor racing championships.

“I’m very excited to help expand Motorsport.tv networks reach by tapping
into the large and passionate global motorsports and auto enthusiast
audience,” Annison said

“In 2001, I was part of the acquisition team when FOX Sports purchased
Speedvision and we rebranded and launched SPEED Channel. My new role at
Motorsport.tv will be very similar except we are now creating a global
network rather than just a North American platform.

“The television landscape is radically changing and the traditional
cable and satellite distribution is evolving rapidly. Motorsport.tv will
focus heavily on digital-consumption, be very user-friendly, and will
showcase the action on any device, anywhere, any time.

“As part of Motorsport Network, we have an incredible opportunity to
link what we’re doing on Motorsport.tv with digital, print, data,
commerce, social media and live events because of the motorsport
audience 136 million page views every month.”

Annison not only played a major role in the acquisition, relaunch and
relocation of SPEED Channel from 2001 through 2004, he also served as
Vice President and General Manager of the digital media division and
oversaw the launch of SPEED2.com – the internet television OTT
(over-the-top) network dedicated to motorsports.

He also managed the network’s expansion into live & multi-camera
streaming; multiplatform rights renewals with NASCAR, Formula One and
MotoGP; the launch of mobile apps; the creation of video and
video-on-demand channels on cable television, Apple TV, Hulu and YouTube
and is also a renowned expert in digital and social media business
models.

“Motorsport Network has an amazing array of brands within the portfolio
that are now under the one umbrella,” Annison said.

“The ability to leverage these large, active, international audiences
and complement it with television is the perfect recipe for success that
will give us a massive voice to promote our content offerings to the
entire motorsport community worldwide.

“We’re going to be very innovative and adapt to the changing face of
media. We are going to create content that is designed to go from
traditional linear television to digital and back again.”

Motorsport
Network CEO Smith welcomed the appointment of Annison who he
believes will play an important role in the network’s future growth.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Kevin to the team. Having somebody with his
experience and knowledge of motorsport, television and the rapidly
changing digital marketplace will be a huge help in our future
expansion,” Smith said.

“His experience in finance, programming, productions, operations and
digital is just what we need to take Motorsport.tv to where we want to
be.

“Our plan is to give the fans what they want, when they want – to take
them trackside to witness the action wherever they are. Motorsport.tv
and Motorsport Network will also provide brands with an incredibly broad
multi-media opportunity to reach this fast-growing audience.”

Motorsport
Network connects hundreds of millions of people who love motorsport
and cars. Our technology and distinct brands distinguish our unique
content and services to help us engage motorsport and auto fans in their
native languages. We connect this universe with television, digital
content, live events, e-commerce, gaming and social networking to unify
people with a passion for all things automotive. As a global digital
media company, we are your gateway to the world of motorsport and cars.